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Pinkeye in Babies

Pink eye, also known as red eye or conjunctivitis, can be extremely contagious. A baby with viral or bacterial pink eye should be isolated from other children as much as possible during the infection.

  1. Symptoms

    • A baby with pink eye can have symptoms in just one or both eyes. The clear membrane that covers the baby's eyes and the interior of the eyelids will be affected.The white area of the eye and the lower eye rim will appear red and inflamed. The affected eye(s) may also be watery and crusty.

    Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment

    • If the baby has recently had a cold or other viral infection, the pink eye infection is most like viral. Viral conjunctivitis usually does not require medical treatment. However, caregivers should wash the eyes often with warm water and remove crusty discharge gently.

    Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treatment

    • The baby's infection may be bacterial if the eyes are producing a lot of discharge that nearly glues the eyes shut. Bacterial conjunctivitis will require the use of antibiotic drops or ointment.

    Allergic Conjuntivitis

    • Allergic conjunctivitis does not require medical treatment. However, caregivers should seek to discover what is causing the allergic reaction and eliminate that substance from the baby's environment.

    Tear Duct Blockage

    • Many babies suffer from blocked tear ducts. This condition is often mistaken for pink eye because of the excessive amount of discharge produced. However, a blocked tear duct will not cause the whites of the eye to become red unless an infection sets in.

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